Optimal site selection and potential power assessment for tidal power generation in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, based on high-resolution ocean modelling and multicriteria analysis

• Published in: Applied energy Vol. 372; p. 123843
• Main Authors: Aljber, Morhaf, Jeong, Jae-Soon, Cabrera, Jonathan Salar, Calvo, Manuel Alejandro Soto, Chisale, Sylvester William, Williams, Zachary, Lee, Han Soo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.10.2024
• Subjects: Analytic hierarchy process; Carbon neutrality; Obatake Strait; Optimal site selection; The Seto Inland Sea; Tidal power; TV; C; D; CO2; AHP; TPG; Cp; WD; ADCP; N; SC; Rc; Carbon neutrality; Obatake Strait; ME; ACEH; SCHISM; The Seto Inland Sea; Optimal site selection; CI; EMEC; IEC; NEDO; Analytic hierarchy process; CM; MLITT; RMSE; AEP; Tidal power; VC; CR; Ud; GIS; OLTPG; PF; RI; AAECH; Cav; MCDM; VR; SIS
• ISSN: 0306-2619; 1872-9118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.123843

In response to Japan's ambitious pursuit of carbon neutrality by 2050, this paper investigates the potential for tidal power generation in the Seto Inland Sea (SIS), Japan, utilising high-resolution ocean modelling and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) combined with GIS-based spatial analysis. The analysis incorporates a 100 m resolution tidal current and water depth layers from the ocean model. The criteria used for evaluation were divided into main criteria, namely, proximity to existing infrastructure, wave height, and shipping density, and subcriteria, namely, distance from ports, power stations, highly populated areas, and coastlines. The identified optimal locations include the Naruto Strait, Akashi Strait, Matsushima Island, Hanaguri Strait, Funaori Strait, Taizaki Island, Kurushima Strait, Obatake Strait, and Tsuwaji Strait. With a focused analysis of the Obatake Strait in Yamaguchi Prefecture, analytical assessments of potential tidal power were conducted by considering two tidal turbines, Openhydro and Voith. The results indicate a power supply for approximately 100,000 households and a reduction of approximately 198,000 t-CO2 per year in the most optimistic scenario. In a less optimistic scenario, with the installation of only 10% of the maximum capacity, a power supply for approximately 10,000 households and a reduction of approximately 19,800 t-CO2 per year are observed. As Japan targets carbon neutrality by 2050, this research offers vital and practical insights for policymakers, energy planners, and environmentalists, identifying the Seto Inland Sea as a strategic area for tidal power development, aligning with Japan's commitment to a sustainable and resilient energy landscape. •High-resolution ocean model used with GIS for optimal site selection of tidal power•The Seto Inland Sea is vital for tidal power with optimal sites equals to 1.18 km2.•Tidal power quantification is based on the dominant tidal velocity•10% of tidal power in Obatake Strait supplies 60% of Yanai City households•10% of tidal power in Obatake Strait resulted in 19,800 t-CO2 reduction per year